Image forming apparatus and printing method

ABSTRACT

In an image forming apparatus which comprises a hardware resource used for image forming processing and a program for performing processing concerning image formation, a type of reading an original during a plurality of originals which include different types of originals in a mixed manner being read, and printing paper sheets on which images have been formed based on the plurality of originals are grouped.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a division of and is based upon and claims thebenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 for U.S. Ser. No. 10/667,381,filed Sep. 23, 2003, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 from Japanese Patent Application Nos. JP 2002-276675, filed Sep.24, 2002, JP 2002-276677, filed Sep. 24, 2002, JP 2003-301779, filedAug. 26, 2003, the entire contents of each of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and aprinting method of performing printing of original images which may havevarious sizes, and sorting of printed paper sheets.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, an image forming apparatus (henceforth, referred to asa fusion machine) which has functions as respective devices, such as aprinter, a copier, a facsimile device, and a scanner in a singlehousing, has come to be known. Such a fusion machine includes, forexample, four types of applications (or application programs)corresponding to the printer, copier, facsimile device and scanner,respectively, and thus operates as a printer, a copier, a facsimiledevice, and a scanner, by appropriately applying these applications,while having relevant hardware resources such as a display part, aprinting part, an image pick-up part, etc. in the single housing, usedfor actually executing these functions.

Moreover, such a fusion machine may further have functions of bindingsheets of paper with staples on which original images are formed by theprinting function of the machine, attaching a cover page thereto, orforming a punch hole therein, so as to appropriately group these sheetsof paper.

Furthermore, such a fusion machine may sort these sheets of paper onwhich original images are formed upon ejecting them from the machine.The term ‘sorting’ means the following operation, for example. In caseof preparing a plurality of copies for a set of pages, these pages areejected from the machine after printing in an order such that each copyis separated from another copy, and, also, each copy has a predeterminedorder of pages. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1A through1D, in case three copies of original images of three sheets each areformed, these three copies are ejected from the machine in thepredetermined order of pages in each copy.

Such an operation of grouping or sorting is a work which is in manycases executed for a single job. However, such a printing job mayinclude various types or manners, i.e., a single side printing, doubleside printing, a mixed printing in that original images having differentsizes are mixed, or so. However, in case where different types oforiginals are mixed in a single printing jog, for example, in casesingle-sided printed paper sheets and double-sided printed paper sheetsare mixed in a set of originals from which a plurality of copies areformed, the above-mentioned grouping or sorting may not be appliedthereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been devised for the purpose of solving such aproblem, and, an object of the present invention is to provide an imageforming apparatus and a printing method by which grouping or sorting canbe applied to printed paper sheets even in case where the printed papersheets produced from different forms of originals such as thoseincluding single-sided ones and double-sided ones in a mixed manner.

In order to solve the problem, according to the present invention, in animage forming apparatus which has hardware resources used for imageformation processing and a program which performs processing concerningimage formation, a part of changing a type of reading originals during aoriginal group in which different types of originals are mixed beingread, and a part of grouping printing paper on which images are formedaccording to the thus-read originals, are provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, theabove-mentioned part of changing a type of reading originals changes thetype of reading originals according to instructions given by anoperator.

According to another aspect of the present invention, theabove-mentioned type of reading originals comprises a type of theoriginal as to whether an image is formed on a single side or images areformed on double sides of the paper.

According to another aspect of the present invention, theabove-mentioned type of reading originals comprises a size of theoriginal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatusfurther includes a part of detecting the original in size.

According to another aspect of the present invention, theabove-mentioned part of changing type of reading originals changes atype of reading originals if the size of the original read just beforeand the size of the original read subsequent thereto detected by saidsize detecting part are different from one another.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said sizedetecting part stops size detecting of the original in response toreading type changing instructions given by a user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, when the readingtype changing part changes a type of reading originals, an image oforiginal read subsequently is formed on another printing paper than oneon which an image of original read immediately before the type ofreading original is changed is formed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an imageforming apparatus which has hardware resources used for image formationprocessing and a program which performs processing concerning imageformation, a part of changing a type in which read original images areformed on printing paper sheets, during an original group in whichdifferent types of originals are mixed being read, and a part ofgrouping printing paper sheets on which images are formed according tothe thus-read originals, are provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, theabove-mentioned part of changing a type of formation of read originalimages on printing paper changes the type of formation of read originalimage on printing paper according to instructions given by an operator.

According to another aspect of the present invention, theabove-mentioned type of formation of read original images on printingpaper comprises a type as to whether an image is formed on a single sideor images are formed on double sides of the paper sheet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, when said part ofchanging type of formation of read original images on printing paperchanges the type of formation of read original images on printing paper,an original image formed subsequently is formed on another printingpaper than one on which an original image is formed immediately beforethe change of formation of read original image on the printing paper.

According to another aspect of the present invention, theabove-mentioned type of forming an original image on printing papercomprises a size of the original.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the presentinvention further includes a part of detecting the original in size.

According to another aspect of the present invention, theabove-mentioned part of changing type of formation of read originalimage on printing paper changes the size of printing paper on which anoriginal image read subsequently is formed if the size of the originalread just before and the size of the original read subsequent theretodetected by said size detecting part are different from one another.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said sizedetecting part stops size detecting of the original in response toreading type changing instructions given by a user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an imageforming apparatus which has hardware resources used for image formationprocessing and a program which performs processing concerning imageformation, a part of inserting a predetermined type of paper into agroup of printing papers on which images are formed based on an originalgroup in which different types of originals are mixed, and a part ofgrouping printing paper sheets on which images are formed according tothe thus-read originals, are provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said part ofinserting a predetermined type of paper inserts a predetermined type ofpaper subsequent to a printing paper on which an original image readjust before is formed, according to a paper inserting instruction inputby an operator during said original image group being read.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an imageforming apparatus which has hardware resources used for image formationprocessing and a program which performs processing concerning imageformation, a part of forming an original image immediately subsequent toan input of an original separation instruction by an operator, onanother printing paper than one on which an original image readimmediately before the input of the original separation instruction isformed, during a original group in which different types of originalsare mixed being read, and a part of grouping printing paper on whichimages are formed according to the thus-read originals, are provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an automaticoriginal feeding part is further provided which automatically read theoriginals which are previously set is provided.

According to another aspect the present invention, page numbers are alsoprinted on the printing paper sheets on which the original images areformed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the page number isnot formed on a side of the printing paper sheet on which the image isnot formed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a part ofrecording data of images is further provided which part records data ofeach image formed on the printing paper.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the data thusrecorded by said part of recording image data are combined integrally.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said grouping partgroups the group of printing paper sheets by attaching a front cover ora back cover thereto.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said grouping partgroups the group of printing paper sheets by binding them with staplesor punching them.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said grouping partgroups the group of printing paper sheets in response to an operator'sinput of a finish instruction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a part of sortingthe group of printing papers upon ejection of a plurality of printingpaper groups on which images are formed based on the original group isfurther provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said sorting partsorts and ejects the plurality of printing paper groups based on theabove-mentioned image data recorded by said recording part.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said sorting partejects the plurality of printing paper groups with changing theorientations thereof alternately or changing the positions thereof.

According to another aspect forth present invention, said sorting partsorts and ejects the printing paper groups in response to a finishinstruction input by an operator.

According to the present invention, in a printing method in an imageforming apparatus which has hardware resources used for image formationprocessing and a program which performs processing concerning imageformation, a step of changing a type of reading originals, during aoriginal group in which different types of originals are mixed beingread, and a step of grouping printing paper sheets on which images areformed according to the thus-read originals, are performed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a printingmethod in an image forming apparatus which has hardware resources usedfor image formation processing and a program which performs processingconcerning image formation, a step of changing a type according to whichread original images are formed on printing paper, during a originalgroup in which different types of originals are mixed being read, and apart of grouping printing paper sheets on which images are formedaccording to the thus-read originals, are performed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a printingmethod in an image forming apparatus which has hardware resources usedfor image formation processing and a program which performs processingconcerning image formation, a step of inserting a predetermined type ofpaper into a group of printing papers on which images are formed basedon an original group in which different types of originals are mixed,and a step of grouping printing paper sheets on which images are formedaccording to the thus-read originals, are performed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a printingmethod in an image forming apparatus which has hardware resources usedfor image formation processing and a program which performs processingconcerning image formation, a step of forming an original image formedimmediately subsequent to an input of an original separation instructionby an operator on another printing paper than one on which an originalimage read immediately before the input of the original separationinstruction is formed, during a original group in which different typesof originals are mixed being read, and a step of grouping printing papersheets on which images are formed according to the thus-read originals,are performed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in said groupingstep, a step of sorting the group of printing papers upon ejection of aplurality of printing paper groups on which images are formed based onthe original group is further performed.

Thereby, it becomes possible to obtain an image forming apparatus or aprinting method by which printing paper sheets on which images areformed based on an original group in which different types of originalsare mixed can be grouped or sorted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A through 1D illustrate a manner of sorting in one example;

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of one embodiment of a fusion machineaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows hardware configuration of the fusion machine shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 shows an operation panel of the fusion machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a window on which a type of sorting is selected;

FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate rotation sorting;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate shift sorting;

FIG. 8 shows another example of the operation panel;

FIGS. 9A through 9N and 9P through 9R illustrate a manner in whichoriginal images are copied;

FIGS. 10A through 10N and 10P through 10R illustrate a manner in whichoriginal images are copied in another example;

FIG. 11 shows another example of the operation panel;

FIGS. 12A through 12N and 12P through 12T illustrate a manner in whichoriginal images are copied in another example;

FIGS. 13A through 13N and 13P through 13T illustrate a manner in whichoriginal images are copied in another example;

FIGS. 14A through 14M illustrate a manner in which original images arecopied in another example;

FIGS. 15A through 15N illustrate a manner in which original images arecopied in another example;

FIGS. 16A through 16L illustrate a manner in which original images arecopied in another example;

FIGS. 17A through 17L illustrate a manner in which original images arecopied in another example;

FIGS. 18A through 18L illustrate a manner in which original images arecopied in another example;

FIGS. 19A through 19N illustrate a manner in which original images arecopied in another example;

FIGS. 20A through 20N and 20P illustrate a manner in which originalimages are copied in another example;

FIG. 21 shows an operation flow chart which shows processing in a casewhere a key is pressed, and a case of printing finish;

FIG. 22 shows a sectional view of an ADF; and

FIGS. 23 through 31 illustrate a motion of paper in the ADF.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to figures. The term ‘a size of an original’ means a standardsize of paper such as A4, B5, or so, for example, which is generallyused for printing paper. The term ‘a type of original as to whether animage is formed on single side or images are formed on double sides’means a single-sided original or a double-sided original, for example.The term ‘a type of reading an original’ means a size of an original tobe read, i.e., an original of A4, for example, or a type (or manner) ofreading a single-sided original or a double-sided original, for example.Similarly, the term ‘a type of formation of an original image onto aprinting paper sheet’ means a size of an original, i.e., an original ofA4, for example, to be formed on the printing paper, or a type (ormanner) as to whether an original image is formed on a single side ofthe paper or original images are formed on double sides of the paper,for example. Thus, the term ‘type’ is determined by a size of originalimage or by a manner as to whether single side of paper is applied ordouble side of a paper is applied for reading an image or forming animage, for example.

Furthermore, the term ‘a printing paper other than one or different fromone on which an original image is formed’ means another paper sheet ordifferent paper sheet which has the same size than that on which theoriginal image is formed is applied. The term ‘printing paper sheet’means a sheet of paper on which an image is formed, or has been formed.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of one embodiment of a fusion machineaccording to the present invention. The term ‘fusion machine’ means amachine which is a new type of image processing apparatus by whichvarious types of image processing functions are achieved, i.e., acopying function, a printing function, a facsimile function, a scanningfruition, and so forth, in a single unit.

The fusion machine 1 includes, as shown, a software group 2, a fusionmachine starting part 3, and hardware resources 4. The fusion machinestarting part 3 is first executed at a time of a power supply start inthe fusion machine 1, and starts an application layer 5 and a platformlayer 6. For example, the fusion machine starting part 3 reads programsof the application layer 5 and the platform layer 6 from a hard diskdrive unit (henceforth HDD), etc., transfers each program which is thusread into a memory area, and starts it. The hardware resources 4 includea scanner 11, a plotter 12, and other hardware resource 13, such as afacsimile device.

Moreover, the software group 2 includes the application layer 5 and theplatform layer 6 which are started by an operating system (henceforthOS), such as a UNIX (registered trademark). The application layer 5includes programs which perform processing respectively particular touser services concerning image formation of printing, coping, facsimiletransmission/reception, scanning, network file processing, etc.

The application layer 5 includes a printer application 21, a copierapplication 22, a facsimile application 23 and a scanner application 24,which are used to cause the fusion machine to act as a printer, acopier, a facsimile machine and a scanner, respectively.

The platform layer 6 includes a control service layer 9 which interpretsprocessing instructions coming from the application layer 5, andgenerates acquisition instructions for the hardware resources 4, asystem resource manager (henceforth SRM) 39 who manages one or morehardware resources 4, and arbitrates the acquisition instructions comingfrom the control service layer 9, and a handler layer 10 which managesthe hardware resources 4 according to the acquisition instructionscoming from the SRM 39.

The control service layer 9 is configured to include one or a pluralityof service modules such as a network control service (referred to as aNCS) 31, a delivery control service (referred to as a DOS) 32, anoperation panel control service (referred to as an OCS) 33, a facsimilecontrol service (referred to as an FCS) 34, an engine control service(referred to as an ECS) 35, a memory control service (referred to as aMCS) 36, a user information control service (henceforth UCS) 37, and asystem control service (henceforth SCS) 38.

The platform layer 6 is configured to include an API 53 which canreceive processing instructions from the application layer 5 with apredetermined function. The above-mentioned OS carries out parallelexecution of respective ones of software of the application layer 5 andthe platform layer 6 regarding them as respective processes.

The process of the NCS 31 provides a service which can be used in commonby applications which need a network I/O, distributes data received byeach protocol from the network to each of these applications, or acts asan agency at a time of transmitting data coming from each application tothe network. For example, the NCS 31 controls data communications with anetwork apparatus connected via the network by an HTTP (HyperTextTransfer Protocol) with an httpd (HyperText Transfer ProtocolDaemon).

The process of the DCS 32 controls distribution of stored documents etc.The process of the OCS 33 performs control of an operation panel so asto control thereby communications between an operator and the controlsystem of this machine. This operation panel acts as an input part forthe operator to operate thereby the fusion machine 1. The process of theFCS 34 provides an API for performing facsimile transmission/receptionof a PSTN or an ISDN with the application layer 5,registration/reference of various facsimile data managed by a memory forbackup, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, etc.

The process of the ECS 35 controls engine parts, such as the scanner 11,plotter 12, and other hardware resources 13. The process of the MCS 36performs memory control for acquisition/release of memory area, use ofthe HDD, etc. The process of the UCS 37 manages user information.

The process of the SCS 38 performs application management, operationpart control, system window display, LED display, hardware resourcemanagement, interruption application control, etc.

The process of the SRM 39 performs control of the system and managementof the hardware resources 4 in cooperation with the SCS 38. For example,according to an acquisition instruction from a higher layer for a use ofa hardware resource 4, such as a scanner 11, a plotter 12 or so, theprocess of the SRM 39 arbitrates and carries out execution controlthereof.

Concretely, the process of the SRM 39 determines whether or not ahardware resource 4 which is requested can be used, or whether or not itis already in use, and, then, when it is usable, the process of the SRM39 informs of this matter to the higher layer. Moreover, the process ofthe SRM 39 performs scheduling for using hardware resources 4 inresponse to the acquisition instructions coming from the higher layer,and executes the instructions (for example, executes paper conveyanceand imaging operation in the printer engine, memory reservation, filegeneration, etc.) directly.

The handler layer 10 includes a facsimile control unit handler(henceforth FCUH) 40 which manages a facsimile control unit (henceforthFCU) which will be described later, and an image memory handler(henceforth IMH) 41 which manages a memory area assigned to a processafter assigning the memory area to the process. The SRM 39 and FCUH 40make a processing request to a hardware resource 4 using an engine I/F54 which enables transmission of the processing request to the hardwareresource 4 with a predetermined function.

The fusion machine 1 can perform processing which is required in commonby each application in the platform layer 6 in a centralization manner.Next, a hardware configuration of the fusion machine 1 will bedescribed.

FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the embodiment of the fusionmachine according to the present invention. The fusion machine 1includes a controller board 60, the operation panel 70, the FCU 80, andthe engine part 110. The FCU68 has a G3 standard handling unit 169 and aG4 standard handling unit 170.

The FCU80, the engine part 110, and the operation panel 70 are connectedto an ASIC 66 of the controller board 60 by a PCI bus.

The engine part 110 acts as a reading type changing part, a printingtype changing part, a paper insertion part, an original image separationpart, a grouping part, a sorting part, and a size detection part. Inparticular, an ADF included in the engine part 110 acts as an automaticoriginal feeding part. The engine part 110 is controlled by the ECS 35which receives instructions from applications, as mentioned above.Moreover, a page number and a chapter number which will be describedlater are also controlled by the ECS 35.

The controller board 60 includes a CPU 61, a system memory (MEM-P) 62, anorth bridge (henceforth NB) 63, a south bridge (henceforth SB) 64, theASIC 66, a local memory (MEM-C) 67, the HDD 68 acting as a recordingpart, an NIC (Network Interface Card) 174, a USB device 90, an IEEE 1394device 100, and a centronics device 177.

The SB 64, NIC 174, USB device 90, IEEE1394 device 100, and centronicsdevice 177 are connected to the NB 63 via a PCI bus.

While the ASIC 66, local memory 67, HDD 68, etc. are connected togetherin the controller board 60, the CPU 61 and ASIC 66 are connected via achip set of the NB 63. Thus, the CPU 61 and ASIC 66 are connectedthrough the NB63, and thereby, an interface of the CPU 61 should nothave been disclosed.

In addition, the ASIC 66 and NB 63 are connected not via the PCI bus butvia an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 65. Thus, in order to carry outexecution control of one or more processes in the application layer 5and the platform layer 6 shown in FIG. 2, the ASIC 66 and NB 63 areconnected not via a low-rate PCI bus but via the AGP65. Thereby, itbecomes possible to improve the performance.

The CPU 61 performs control of the whole fusion machine 1. The CPU 61starts and executes the NCS31, DCS 32, OCS 33, FCS 34, ECS 35, MCS 36,UCS 37, SCS 38, SRM 39, FCUH 40 and IMH 41 regarding them as respectiveprocesses with the OS, and, also, starts and executes the printerapplication 21, copy application 22, facsimile application 23 andscanner application 24 of the application layer 5.

The NB 63 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 61, the system memory 62,the SB 64 and the ASIC 66. The system memory 62 is a memory used as amemory for drawing images in the fusion machine 1, or so. The SB 64 is abridge for connecting the NB 63, ROM, PCI bus, and peripheral devices.Moreover, the local memory 67 is a memory used as an image buffer or acode buffer for a coping operation.

The ASIC 66 is a special IC for image processing which has hardwaredevices for the image processing. The HDD 68 is storage for performingstorage of image data, storage of document data, storage of programs,storage of font data, storage of various forms, etc. Moreover, theoperation panel 70 is an operation part which performs a display variousinformation for an operator while receiving operation input from theoperator. Detailed explanation of this operation panel 70 will now bedescribed.

As the operation panel 70 is shown in FIG. 4, various keys, etc. aredisplayed on a touch-panel sensor, and an operator touches them so as toinput instructions into the fusion machine therewith.

Next, the keys and so forth displayed on the operation panel 70 will bedescribed. An information display part 201 displays information, such asa present state of the fusion machine 1, to the operator. A copy numberdisplay part 202 displays information, such as, how many sheets anoriginal document has, how many copies are to be made in case sortingprocessing is set, how many sheets of printing or copying has beencompleted, etc.

Sorting/stacking keys 203 are used for specifying whether sorting, inwhich printing paper sheets are ejected for each copy is performed orstacking in which printing paper is ejected for each page is performed.

When the operator presses the sorting key, a window shown in FIG. 5 isdisplayed. The window shown in FIG. 5 is a window for selecting a typeof sorting. A sorting key 500 is a key for performing usual sorting. Arotation sorting key 501 is a key for performing sorting such that theprinted paper sheets are ejected while the orientation thereof ischanged alternately for each copy, as shown in FIGS. 6A through 6D. Ashift sorting key 502 is a key for ejecting the printed paper sheetswhile changing the position for each copy, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.Thus, in the fusion machine 1, one of these three types of sorting canbe selected.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 4, a staple/punch key 204 is a keyfor performing a binding operation such as to bind the printed papersheets with staples, or forming a punch hole in the printed papersheets.

A document storage key 205 is a key for storing data of a read-indocument with a title thereof. A size-change key 206 is a key forspecifying the size of the original or printing paper so as to producean expanded/reduced copy, or so. A double-side combination/division key207 is a key for collecting a plurality of pages of original images intoa single sheet of printed paper sheet, or dividing a single sheet oforiginal image into plurality of pages.

A cover/inserting paper key 208 is a key for attaching a cover to theprinted paper sheets or inserting an inserting paper thereinto. Anediting/printing key 209 is a key for performing edition of the contentsof printing, or producing printed paper sheets with attaching thereto aregistered stamp. An expansion/reduction part 210 includes keys used forexpanding/reducing an original image. A paper selection part 211includes keys for selecting a type of printing paper.

An original image type selection part 212 includes keys for achieving areading operation according to a predetermined reading conditionsuitable for a text image, a photographic image or so. A shadeadjustment part 213 includes keys for printing shade adjustment and ashade display part which displays shade samples. A large number oforiginal image key 214 is a key for executing one set of printing jobsfor a very large number of printed paper sheets by dividing the jobsinto several steps. An original size mixture key 215 is a key forhandling originals which have different sizes with a common width.

Next, an operation panel 70 shown in FIG. 8 will be described. Theoperation panel 70 shown in FIG. 8 is a window opened as a result of thedouble-side combination/division key 207 being pressed, and then, asingle/double mixture key 227 being then further pressed. Keys displayedon this window will now be described. First, a one side key 228 and adouble side key 229 are keys for inputting by the operator as to whetheror not an original to be read in is of a single-sided one or adouble-sided one. When the one side key 228 or the double side key 229is pressed by the operator, a notice of reading type change is inputinto the copy application 22. This notice of reading type change is thennotified to the ECS 35 from the copy application 22, and the ECS 35controls the engine part 110 according to the notice.

A one side key 230 and a double side key 231 are keys for an operator toinput as to whether a printed paper sheet should be produced into asingle-sided one or a double-sided one. When the one side keys 230 orthe double side key 231 is pressed by the operator, a notice of printingtype change is input into the copy application 22. This notice ofprinting type change is then notified to the ECS 35 from the copyapplication 22, and the ECS 35 controls the engine part 110 according tothe notice.

A start key 236 is a key for starting reading of original images. An endkey 237 is a key for terminating the reading of original images. Whenthis end key 237 is pressed by an operator, a notice of end is inputinto the copy application 22, the notice of end is then notified to theECS 35 from the copy application 22, and the ECS 35 controls the enginepart 110 according to the notice.

An original separation key 234 is a key for forming, immediately afterthis key is pressed, an image on another printing paper sheet than oneon which an image has been formed immediately before this key ispressed. When this original separation key 234 is pressed by anoperator, a notice of original separation is input into the copyapplication 22. Then, this notice of original separation is furthernotified to the ECS 35 by the copy application 22, and the ECS 35controls the engine part 110 according to the notice.

An insert separation paper key 232 is a key for separating printed pagesby inserting a paper sheet therebetween. When this insert separationpaper key 232 is pressed by the operator, this notice of paper insertionis input into the copy application 22.

A bookbinding key 223 is a key for printing a plurality of sheets oforiginal in such a manner that the thus-printed pages are ejected in apredetermined order of pages. A division key 224 is a key for printing atwo-page spread original image or double-sided original images intorespective paper sheets. An integration key 225 is a key for integratinga plurality of pages of original images into a single double-sidedprinted paper sheet. A double side key 226 is a key for performing adouble side copying operation.

Next, actual printing processing will be described. FIGS. 9A through 9Nand 9P through 9R show processing of printing an original group in whichsingle-sided originals and double-sided originals are mixed, using theabove-mentioned original separation key, and then, binding thethus-produced printed paper sheets by staples, using the above-mentionedend key.

In FIGS. 9E through 9M, an original reading mode change key 191 meanseither one of the above-mentioned single side key 228 and double sidekey 229 of FIG. 8. A printing mode change key 192 means either one ofthe above-mentioned single side key 230 and double side key 231 of FIG.8. An scanning operation 195 means a reading operation. A storageoperation 196 means an operation of storing data of the read originalimages into a storage such as the above-mentioned HDD 68. A printoperation 197 means an operation of printing read images onto printingpaper sheets. A page printing 198 means an operation of printing a pagenumber on a printed paper sheet. A post-processing 199 means processingof binding produced printed paper sheets with staples or makes a punchhole therein.

A state of each operation is shown by a straight line and pulse-likelifted portions in each of FIGS. 9D through 9M. A single straight linemeans that no relevant operation is performed, while each pulse-likelifted portion having a number given therein means an occasion at whichthe relevant operation is actually performed. The number given to eachlifted portion means a number which is given each time a page of imageis formed on one side of a printing paper sheet, and, thus, indicatesthe page number.

As to each key, i.e., FIGS. 9E through 9H, a simple straight line meansthat the relevant key is not pressed while a pulse-like lifted portionmeans the key is pressed.

Next, the contents of the printing processing which FIGS. 9A through 9Rillustrate will be described. First, the original reading mode changekey 191 is pressed to specify ‘single side’ (or the single side key 228is pressed). Moreover, the printing mode change key 192 is pressed tospecify ‘double side’ (or the double side key 231 is pressed).

Then, printing starts in response to the start key 236 being pressed.First printing is of five double-sided copies from one side originals300. First, the first sheet of the one side original 300 is read by ascanning operation, and is stored in storage operation into the storage.The first sheet is not yet printed out at this time, but the secondsheet of the original is read in response to the start key 236 beingpressed, and it is stored in the storage. After the second sheet of theoriginal is thus stored in the storage, the first and second sheets ofthe originals are printed out with page numbers, and, thus, adouble-sided copy of pages 1 and 2 is produced. Also in the followingoperation, the page number is put on a printed page.

Thus, in case the double-sided copy is produced from single-sidedoriginals, after the both original images to form the double sides areread and stored into the storage, they are printed out for a singledouble-sided printing paper sheet.

The original images on the third and fourth sheets following aresimilarly printed, and a double-sided copy of pages 3 and 4 is thusproduced. Next, the original image of the fifth sheet is read and it isstored into the storage. At this time, the operator presses the originalseparation key 234 since printing of the single-sided originals 300 isfinished. The original image of the fifth sheet is thus printed as thepage 5 in a single-sided copy as shown in FIG. 9N.

Thus, the single-sided originals 300 are copied, into three sheets ofprinting papers 301 as shown in FIG. 9N through the above-describedprocessing. By the function of the original separation key 234, asubsequent original image is prevented from being formed on the reverseside of the printing paper sheet which has the above-mentioned fifthpage formed on the obverse side thereof.

Originals to be copied then are double-sided originals 302 of threesheets shown in FIG. 9B. In this case, in order to change a type ofreading original image since the original changes from the single-sidedone into the double-sided one, the original reading mode change key 191should be pressed by the operator, i.e., the double side key 229 shouldbe pressed.

Then, copying of the double-sided originals 302 is started in responseto the start key 236 being pressed. Similar to the above-described caseof copying the single-sided originals, an obverse side of the firstsheet of the double-sided original 302 is read by scanning operation,and is stored by storage operation into the storage.

The first sheet image is not yet printed out at this time, but thereverse side of the same sheet is read in response to the start key 236being pressed by the operator, and it is stored at this time at storage.After this reverse side image data is stored in the storage, thethus-stored observe and reverse side images of the first sheet of theoriginal are printed out with respective page numbers, and, thus, adouble-sided copy of pages 6 and 7 is produced as shown in FIG. 9P.

The obverse and reverse sides of the following sheet of the original arealso printed similarly, and a double-sided copy of pages 8 and 9 isproduced as shown in FIG. 9P. Next, the obverse side of the third sheetis read and is stored in the storage. At this time, the operator pressesthe original separation key 234. As a result, the obverse side of thethird sheet of the original is printed as a page 10 in a single-sidedcopy. At this time, no page number is printed on the reverse side ofthis single-sided copy of page 10.

The double-sided originals 302 are thus copied into the three sheets ofprinting paper 303 as shown in FIG. 9P with the above-describedprocessing.

Thus, even in case of processing a double-sided original sheet, it ispossible, with the function of the original separation key 234, toproduce a single-sided copy which has the page of original image only onthe obverse side thereof. At this time, the reverse side image of therelevant double-sided original sheet, which has not been copied, may becopied into another printing paper sheet (as shown in FIG. 9Q).

The original images which should be then copied are the reverse sideimage which has not been copied yet as mentioned above, and other twosheets of single-sided original 304 shown in FIG. 9C. In this case,since the original changes from the double-sided one to the single-sidedone, the original reading mode change key 191 should be pressed, i.e.,the single side key 228 should be pressed. Moreover, at this time, inorder to also change the type of forming images onto printing paper froma double side printing into single side printing, the printing modechange key 192 should also be pressed, i.e., the single side key 230should be pressed.

The page 11 which is the reverse side of the original sheet has beenalready read by the scanning operation, and stored by the storageoperation in the storage. Then it is printed in a single side printingmanner. Similarly, the first and second sheets of the single-sidedoriginals 304 are copied in the single side printing manner.

By the above-described processing, the remaining reverse side and othertwo sheets of single-sided originals 304 are copied into three sheets ofprinting paper as shown in a copy 305 of FIG. 9Q.

Then, post-processing is performed in response to the end key 237 beingpressed by the operator. In this case, as the post-processing,processing of staple is applied, for example. Then, as shown in a copy306 of FIG. 9R, the copies 301, 303, and 305 are bound by staples.Alternatively, a punch hole may be made in the copies for the purpose ofbinding. Moreover, the data recorded in the storage as shown in FIG. 9Jare integrated into a single file. Then, the original image data thusstored and integrated into the file may be again used for producinganother set of copy without again reading the original.

As one example thereof, a description will now be made with reference toFIGS. 10A through 10N, and 10P through 10R. In this example, after thefirst copy is bound by the staples or in a use of the punch hole formedin the copy, other copies are provided with a sorting operation. FIGS.10A through 10R illustrate processing in which the printing and sortingoperations are performed for the other copies after the end of theprocessing same as that described above with reference to FIGS. 9Athrough 9R. As the processing performed before the end key 237 ispressed at the end is the same as that shown in FIGS. 9A through 9Q, theduplicated description is omitted.

Post-processing is performed in response to the end key 237 been pressedas shown in FIG. 10M. Also in this case, it is assumed that thepost-processing applied is one in use of staples. Accordingly, as shownin a copy 329 of FIG. 10R, copies 301, 303 and 305 are bound by staples.Alternatively, also it is possible that they are bound with a punch holeformed therein.

Then, using the data of the original images recorded in the storagerequired number of copies are produced, sorted and ejected, as shown inthe sorting operation 601 of FIG. 10K. In the case of FIGS. 10A through10R, total three copies are produced as shown.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 9A through 9R and 10A through10R, from the original group in which double-sided originals andsingle-sided originals are mixed as shown in FIGS. 9A through 9C and 10Athrough 10C, various types of copying/printing, sorting and binding (inuse of staples or punch hole) operations can be achieved in use of theoriginal separation key 234, the original reading mode change key 191,and the printing mode change key 192. Furthermore, according to theembodiment of the present invention, by the above-described processing,grouping of the original group in which different types of originals aremixed can be achieved in a single job. Accordingly, it becomes possiblefor a user to easily handle a complicate original such as theabove-mentioned single-sided and double-sided mixed originals, andproduce a desired type of copies therefrom.

Moreover, it becomes possible to sort and eject a required number ofcopies using the data of the original images once recorded in thestorage.

Next, printing processing including insertion of a front cover, a backcover, or an insertion paper into printed paper sheets will bedescribed. An operation panel 70 used when carrying out such printingprocessing will be first described using FIG. 11. The operation panel 70shown in FIG. 11 is a window opened in response to the cover/insert key208 shown in FIG. 8 being pressed.

Keys displayed on this window will now be described. First, a copyingkey 216 and a not copying key 217 are keys by which it is set whether ornot printing is made on a front cover. Similarly, a copying key 218 anda not copying key 219 are keys by which it is set whether or notprinting is made on a back cover. Furthermore, a copying key 221 and anot copying key 222 are keys by which it is set whether or not printingis made on an inserting paper. Moreover, a cover and chapter separationkey 220 is a key by which it is set whether or not a cover is attachedor chapter separation is made with an insetting paper.

Next, printing processing which includes attaching a cover or so inprinted paper sheets will now be described using FIGS. 12A through 12Nand 12P through 12T. First, it is assumed that, in order to attach acover, the cover and chapter separation key 220 is pressed. Moreover,the original reading mode change key 191 is pressed to specify ‘singleside’. The printing mode change key 192 is pressed to specify ‘doublesides’.

Printing starts in response to the start key 236 being pressed by theoperator. The first printing is for five double-sided copies from asingle-sided original 300. First, the first sheet of the single-sidedoriginal 300 is read by scanning operation, and is stored by storageoperation into the storage. The first sheet is not printed yet at thistime but a front cover 307 is printed first. And the original image ofthe second sheet is read in response to the start key 236 being pressedby the operator, and is stored in the storage. After the original imageof the second sheet is thus stored in the storage, the original imagesof the first and second sheets thus stored are printed out together withrespective page numbers, and, thus, a double-sided copy of the pages 1and 2 is produced. Moreover, not only the page numbers but also achapter number is printed on each printed side of the paper of the copy.

The original images of the following third and fourth sheets aresimilarly printed, and another double-sided copy of the pages 3 and 4 isthus produced. Next, the original image of the following fifth sheet isread and it is stored in the storage. At this time, the single-sidedoriginal 300 is finished as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12P, and, thus, theoperator presses the insert separation paper key 232 shown in FIG. 8.The original image of the fifth sheet is thus printed as a page 5 of asingle-sided copy in response to the insert separation paper key 232being thus pressed.

The single-sided original 300 is thus copied and printed into threesheets of printing paper 301 shown in FIG. 12P through theabove-described processing.

The original images to be copied subsequently are of double-sidedoriginal 302 of three sheets shown in FIG. 12B. In this case, since theoriginal changes from a single-sided one to the double-sided one, theoriginal reading mode change key 191 should be pressed to specify‘double sides’.

Then, printing of the double-sided original 302 is started in responseto the start key 236 being pressed by the operator. Similarly to theabove-described case of the single-sided original, the obverse side ofthe first sheet of the double-sided original 302 is read by scanningoperation, and is stored by storage operation into the storage.

The first sheet is not printed yet at this time but a separation papersheet 308 is printed first as shown in FIG. 12Q. And the reverse side ofthe above-mentioned first sheet is read in response to the start key 236being pressed, and is stored into the storage. After the reverse sideimage is thus stored, the obverse and reverse side images thus storedare printed out with respective page numbers into another double-sidedcopy of pages 6 and 7 as shown in FIG. 12Q.

The obverse and reverse sides of original images of the following secondsheet are also printed similarly, and another double-sided copy of pages8 and 9 are thus produced. Next, the obverse side of the following thirdsheet is read and it is stored into the storage. At this time, it isassumed that the operator presses the original reading mode change key191 to specify ‘single side’ in order to change the original readingtype from the double side reading into single side reading. The fusionmachine determines this pressing action of the original reading modechange key 191 as a separation of the original, and the obverse side ofthe original image of the above-mentioned third sheet is printed as apage 10 of a single-sided copy.

The double-sided original 302 is thus copied/printed into three sheetsof printing papers 303 as shown in FIG. 12Q by the above-describedprocessing.

Original to be subsequently copied/printed includes the reverse sidewhich is left unprinted (page 11) of the third sheet of theabove-mentioned double-sided original 302, and another single-sidedoriginal 304 of two sheets (pages 12 and 13). In this case, printing isto be made of single side, and thus the printing mode change key 192 ispressed to specify ‘single side’.

First, the above-mentioned reverse side image of page 11 is read byscanning operation, and is stored in storage operation. Then, it isprinted in a single side printing manner. Similarly, the first andsecond sheets of the single-sided original 304 are printed also in asingle side printing manner.

By the above-described processing, the remaining reverse side image andthe other single-sided original 304 of two sheets are printed into threesheets of printing paper sheets (copy 305) as shown in FIG. 12R.

And post-processing is performed in response to the end key 237 beingpressed. It is assumed that post-processing to be applied is to add aback cover and to bind with staples in the case of FIGS. 12A through12T, and, thus, a back cover 309 is printed first. And as shown in FIG.12T (copy 306), a front cover 307, a separation paper sheet 308, a backcover 309, and the above-mentioned copies 301, 303 and 305 are boundwith staples.

Processing which includes a sorting operation in addition to theabove-described processing will now be described with reference to FIGS.13A through 13N and 13P through 13T. FIGS. 13A through 13T illustrateprocessing in which a sorting operation is performed after the end ofprocessing such as that described above with reference to FIGS. 12Athrough 12T. Before sorting, the processing is same that of FIGS. 12Athrough 12T, and duplicated description thereof is omitted.

After the end key 237 is pressed, in use of data of the original oncerecorded in the storage, as shown in FIG. 13L, in a sorting operation602, a required number of copies are sorted and ejected from the fusionmachine. In the case of FIGS. 13A through 13T, total three copies (eachincluding pages 1 through 13) are produced.

Thus, by using the original separation key 234, the original readingmode change key 191, the printing mode change key 192, and the insertseparation paper key 232 for an original group in which different typesof originals, i.e., double-sided originals and single-sided originalsare mixed, it becomes possible to execute, within a single job,processing of grouping the printed paper sheets (copy) with insertion ofthe separation paper sheet into the printed paper sheets, or attachmentof a front cover and a back cover thereto.

Moreover, it becomes possible to produce, sort and eject the requirednumber of copies using the data of the original images once recorded inthe storage.

Next, processing of printing an original group including at this timedifferent paper sizes in a mixed manner according to the related artwill be described using FIGS. 14A through 14M. After that, in comparisontherewith, processing of printing using the original separation key 234according to the embodiment of the present invention will be describedusing FIGS. 15A through 15N.

The processing illustrated in FIGS. 14A through 14M and FIGS. 15Athrough 15N is processing in use of the above-mentioned ADF.

FIGS. 14A through 14M illustrate processing in which originals of pagesizes of A3 and A4 in a mixed manner are copied.

First, printing starts in response to the start key 236 being pressed byan operator. First printing is printing of five sheets of A4 paper of asingle-sided original 310 shown in FIG. 14B. As shown in the figures,the original image is scanned, stored and printed out, and, after that,the same operation is repeated four times. Thereby, two A4 sheets ofdouble-sided copy of pages 1 through 4 (copy 317) are produced as shownin FIG. 14I.

Next, an original image to print out subsequently is of the fifth A4sheet. Original images to print out further subsequently includeoriginal images of A3 paper of the sixth sheet and so forth 312 shown inFIG. 14C. Therefore, the original images include different sizes in amixed manner in this case. In this case, as the currently set printingtype is for a double-sided copy, on the reverse side of the A4 printingpaper sheet (see FIG. 14J) which has, on the observe side thereof, thefifth original image (page 5) has been printed as mentioned above, thesixth A3 original image (page 6) is printed. At this time, since thesixth original image has the size of A3 which is larger than the size A4of the printing paper sheet of the fifth page, an incomplete copy (i.e.,only a half of the original image is printed) is made as shown in FIG.14J, unless the A3 original image is reduced into A4 before printing.

Then, double side copying for the seventh and eighth pages is performed.After that (starting from the ninth page), different paper sizes aremixed in an original again. This mixture is a mixture of varying anoriginal from A3 to A4 (originals from 312 to 314) contrary to theabove-mentioned case. At this time, the ninth page (of A3) of originalimage is first printed onto a printing paper. Then, although the tenthpage of original image is of A4 (314), the tenth page of original imageof A4 is printed on the reverse side of the printing paper A3 which hasthe ninth page of original image printed on the obverse side thereof asshown in FIG. 14L (copy 320). Therefore, although the original image isof A4, it may be expanded to A3 before being printed, or is printed asit is in A4 in the half of the A3 paper. After that, double sideprinting of A4 for the eleventh and twelfth pages is performed (FIG.14M), and the printing processing is completed.

Thus, according to the related art described above, when double sideprinting in which different sizes of originals are mixed is performed, aproblem may occur in that the size of the original image is changedunexpectedly or incomplete copying is made. The processing performedusing the original separation key 234 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention for solving this problem will be described using FIGS.15A through 15N.

First, a single-sided original 310 of five A4 paper sheets 310 (FIG.15B) are set onto the ADF, and printing starts in response to the startkey 236 being pressed. As shown in the figures, the original image isscanned, stored and printed. This series of operations are repeated fourtimes, and, thereby, double side printing is carried out for the pages 1through 4 for total two sheets of printing paper as shown in FIG. 15K.

Then, after the original image of the fifth sheet is stored in thestorage, the original separation key 234 is pressed by the operator. Bythis, single side copy is performed for the original image of this fifthsheet. The single-sided original 310 is thus copied and printed intothree sheets of printing papers 311 as shown in FIG. 15K by theabove-described processing.

Next, an original 312 which includes of four original sheets of A3 size(see FIG. 15C) is set onto the ADF, and printing starts in response tothe start key 236 being pressed. As shown in the figures, the originalimage is scanned, stored and printed. This series of operations arerepeated four times, and, thereby, double side printing is carried outfor the pages 6 through 9 for total two sheets of printing paper 313 asshown in FIG. 15L. The single-sided original 312 is thus copied andprinted into two sheets of printing papers 312 as shown in FIG. 15L bythe above-described processing. Then, the original separation key 234 isbe again pressed by the operator.

Then, an original image 314 which includes of three original sheets ofA4 size (FIG. 15D) is set onto the ADF, and printing starts in responseto the start key 236 being pressed. Double side printing for these threeA4 sheets 314 is performed in the following manner: The image isscanned, stored, and this series of operations is repeated thrice. Thetenth and eleventh pages are printed in a double side printing manner,and, then, the twelfth page is printed out in a single side printingmanner with the operator's pressing of the original separation key 234,as shown in FIG. 15E. The single-sided original 314 is thus copied andprinted into two sheets of printing paper 315 as shown in FIG. 15M bythe above-described processing. And after that, as shown in FIG. 15N(copy 329), it can is bound and thus grouped by staples.

Processing which includes a sorting operation in addition to theabove-described processing will now be described with reference to FIGS.16A through 16L. FIGS. 16A through 16L illustrate processing in which asorting operation is performed after the end of processing such as thatdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 15A through 15N. Before sorting,the processing is same that of FIGS. 15A through 15N, and duplicateddescription thereof is omitted.

After the original separation key 234 is pressed in the end, the twelfthpage is printed as shown in FIG. 16H. Then, in use of data of theoriginal images once recorded in the storage, in a sorting operation 603as shown in FIG. 16I, a required number of copies are produced, sortedand ejected from the fusion machine. In the case of FIGS. 16A through16L, total three copies (each including pages 1 through 12) areproduced.

By thus using the original separation key 234, it becomes possible tocarry out double side copying of an original group including differentsizes of paper sheets.

Next, other processing according to the embodiment of the presentinvention will be described, in which, in the above-described processingshown in FIGS. 15A through 15L, a change in original size is detectedautomatically, and, thereby, original separation is determined, withreference to FIGS. 17A through 17L.

First, a single-sided original 310 of five A4 sheets is set onto theADF, and printing starts with an operator's pressing of the start key236. As shown in figures, double side printing of these five A4 sheetsis performed such that each page is scanned, stored and printed, andthis series of operations is repeated four times. Thus, double sideprinting is performed for the A4 pages 1 through 4 of total two sheets,as shown in FIG. 17J.

Then, after the original image of the fifth sheet is stored in thestorage, the operator sets onto the ADF an original 312 which includesfour original images of A3 size each 312 shown in FIG. 17C.

Then, the sixth page of the thus-set original images 312 is read withthe operator's pressing of the start key 236. Then, an automaticoriginal separation detection 240 is made such that it is detected thatthe original thus changes in page size from A4 into A3 (from page 5 topager 6) at this time, the fifth page of printed paper sheet is thusejected from the fusion machine as shown in FIG. 17J with the reverseside thereof left unprinted. The single-sided original 310 is thusprinted into three sheets of printing paper sheets 311 as shown in FIG.17J by this processing. Double side printing of the above-mentionedoriginal 312 of four A3 sheets is carried out from sixth through ninthpages for total two sheets of same A3 (313 of FIG. 17K). Then, anoriginal 314 of three A4 sheets shown in FIG. 17D is set by the operatoronto the ADF.

And printing of the original 314 is started with the operator's pressingof the start key 236. Thereby, the tenth and eleventh pages of theoriginal 314 are printed. After the twelfth page of the original 314 isscanned, an original separation detection is made again automatically sothat it is detected automatically that there is no other original on theADF. Then, the twelfth page of the original 314 is printed and ejectedwith a printing paper sheet having the reverse side thereof leftunprinted. Such a original size detection and a detection of no originalon the ADF are achievable by a certain function of general ADF(automatic draft feeder), which will be described later with referenceto FIGS. 22-31.

Thus, instead of using the original separation key 234, the paper sizeof original may be automatically detected, and, thereby, propercopying/printing is achieved even for an original which includesdifferent sizes of paper sheets automatically.

Processing which includes a sorting operation in addition to theabove-described processing will now be described with reference to FIGS.18A through 18L. FIGS. 18A through 18L illustrate processing in which asorting operation is performed after the end of processing such as thatdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 17A through 17L. Before sorting,the processing is same as that of FIGS. 17A through 17L, and duplicateddescription thereof is omitted.

After the original separation detection 249 is made at the end, thetwelfth page is printed as mentioned above. Then, in use of data of theoriginal once recorded in the storage, as shown in FIG. 18I, in asorting operation 604, a required number of copies are sorted andejected from the fusion machine. In the case of FIGS. 18A through 18L,total three copies (each including pages 1 through 12) are produced.

Thus, instead of using the original separation key 234, the paper sizeof original may be automatically detected, and, thereby, propercopying/printing is achieved even for an original which includesdifferent sizes of paper sheets, automatically.

Next, extension of an original image at a time of using the ADF in theembodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 19Athrough 19N. FIGS. 19A through 19N illustrate a processing in which,subsequent to an original 324 shown in FIG. 19B, an original 325 shownin FIG. 19C is additionally placed on the ADF. First, the original 322shown in FIG. 19A is printed in a manner similar to that describedabove, and a copy 323 is produced as shown in FIG. 19L. After that, theoriginal separation key 234 is pressed by the operator and the original324 (pages 5 and 6) is copied.

Then, as the operator wishes to include the original 325 (pages 7 and 8)at this time, the operator puts the original 325 onto the ADF withoutpressing the original separation key 234. Then, when the operatorpresses the start key 236, the original 325 is copied, and thus, a copy326 of a combination of the originals 324 and 325 is obtained (pages 5through 8) as shown in FIG. 19M.

After that, in case another original 327 of single-sided paper sheetsshown in FIG. 19D is copied, first, the operator presses the originalreading mode change key 191, and press the original separation key 234.Then, the operator sets the original image 327 onto the ADF, and thenpresses the start key 326. Thereby, a copy 328 shown in FIG. 19N isobtained. Thus, when adding an original, it can be achieved in a mannersame as usual.

In case of performing sorting in the above-described case, as shown inFIGS. 20A through 20P, in response to the end key 237 being pressed asshown in FIG. 20E, in use of data of the original once recorded in thestorage, with a sorting operation 605, a required number of copies areproduced, sorted and ejected from the fusion machine. In the case ofFIGS. 20A through 20P, total three copies (each including pages 1through 10) are produced.

With reference to FIG. 21, printing of original including different sizein a mixed manner and sorting described above will be described again.This flow chart illustrates a part of various processing performed bythe fusion machine in the embodiment of the present invention describedabove.

First, a determination is made whether an operator's pressing of acertain key is detected or the current printing operation is finished,in Step S101. The certain key to be pressed in this flow chart isassumed to be any one of the above-mentioned original reading modechange key 191, printing mode change key 192, original separation key193, and insert separation paper key 232.

In case the pressing of the certain key is detected, it is determined inStep S102 as a reading type change step, whether the original readingmode change key has been pressed. In the case of the original readingmode change key being pressed, in Step S103, reading mode changeprocessing is performed accordingly and the processing is completed.

It is then determined in Step S104 as a printing type change step,whether the printing mode change key has been pressed. In the case ofthe printing mode change key being pressed, in Step S106, printing modechange processing is thus performed and the processing is completed.

It is then determined in Step S105 as an original separation step,whether the original separation key has been pressed. In the case of theoriginal separation key being pressed, in Step S107, original separationprocessing is thus performed and the processing is completed.

In Step S108 as a paper insertion step, it can be determined that anyone of the above-mentioned three keys has not been pressed, and, thus,it can be determined that the remaining insert separation paper key hasbeen pressed. Then, separation paper insertion processing is performed,and the processing is completed.

In Step S101, when it is determined the printing is finished, it isdetermined in Step S109 as a sorting step, whether sorting should beperformed or not. When sorting should be performed, in Step S110,sorting processing is performed and the processing is completed.

A method of accelerating printing processing will now be described. Inprocessing using the ADF described with reference to FIGS. 19A through19N, as the original reading mode change key 191 is used withoutapplying the automatic original size detection/determination, it ispossible to accelerate the printing processing. This is because acertain time is required for the automatic original size determination.The method of the ADF's detecting the size of an original will now bedescribed.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the ADF 400 included in the engine part110 of the fusion machine described above. The ADF 400 has an originalwidth size sensor 420, an original set sensor 407, original lengthdetection sensors 416 and 417, and a registration sensor 418, as shownin FIG. 22. An original image is read at an original reading position419.

The original width size sensor 420 includes three sensors, and detectsthe width of the original loaded there. The original set sensor 407detects whether the original is set or not. The original lengthdetection sensors 416 and 417 detect the length of the original loaded.The registration sensor 418 is a sensor which detects whether theoriginal locates in the position of the registration sensor 418.

A motion of paper in the ADF 400 in case an original does not includedifferent sizes of paper sheets will now be described. First, when paperof an original 421 is fed to the ADF 400 as shown in FIG. 23, the ADF400 determines the size of the paper of original 421 from theinformation from the original length detection sensors 416 and 417 andthe information from the original width size sensor 420 as the originalbeing fed.

And, as shown in FIG. 24, the original 421 is drawn forward, and haspassed by the original width size sensor 420 as shown in FIG. 25. Whenanother original is detected by the original set sensor 407 at thistime, another paper of the original 422 is fed. And as shown in FIG. 26,the paper of the first original 421 is ejected from the ADF 400. Theimage of the original 421 is read/scanned when it passes by the originalreading position 419 as shown in FIG. 25 to be then printed out in acopying/printing operation in the machine.

A motion of paper in case an original includes various sizes of papersheets will now be described. In this case, different from theabove-mentioned case, the ADF 400 determines the size of an originalpaper sheet only from the information of the original width size sensor420. Therefore, the ADF 400 cannot detect the size of the original untilthe original paper sheet 421 has passed by the original width sizesensor 420 as shown in FIG. 27. The ADF 400 drives forward the original421 for which the size has been thus detected, to a position at whichthe paper is almost being ejected, as shown in FIG. 28. Then, as shownin FIGS. 29 and 30, the ADF 400 drives the original 421 backward so thatthe front edge of the original 421 reaches the original reading position419.

And as shown in FIG. 30, when the rear edge of the original 421 whichhas been driven backward as mentioned above has passed by theregistration sensor 418, and, also, another original is detected by theoriginal set sensor 407, as shown in FIG. 30, the ADF 400 then feedspaper of the other original 422, as shown in FIG. 31.

Thus, when the size of an original is not determined by an operation ofan operator, the original should be driven backward as mentioned abovebefore another original is fed. Accordingly, an extra time is required.In this view, it can be said that it is possible to accelerate theprinting processing by rather using the original reading mode change key191 by which information of the size of the original is given externallyby an operator previously.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-describedembodiment, and variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the basic concept of the present invention.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a hardware resource used forimage forming processing; and a program for performing processingconcerning image formation, wherein said apparatus comprises: a printingtype changing part changing a type in which a read image of an originalis formed on a printing paper sheet, during a plurality of originalswhich include different types of originals in a mixed manner being read.2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprisinga grouping part configured to group the printing paper sheets on whichimages have been formed based on the plurality of originals.
 3. Theimage forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printingtype changing part changes a type in which a read image of an originalis formed on a printing paper sheet in response to an instruction inputby an operator after a first of the plurality of originals is read andbefore a last of the plurality of originals is read.
 4. The imageforming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: in case the printingtype changing part changes the type in which an image of original isformed on a printing paper sheet, an image of original formedsubsequently on a printing paper sheet which is different from aprinting paper sheet on which an image is formed immediately before thetype of forming an image is changed.
 5. The image forming apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein: said type comprises a size of the original.6. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprisinga size detecting part detecting the size of the original.
 7. The imageforming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said printing typechanging part changes the size of a printing paper sheet on which animage of original is formed subsequently when the size of an originaldetected by said size detecting part immediately before is differentfrom the size of an original which is read subsequently.
 8. The imageforming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said size detectingpart stops an original size detecting operation in response to a readingtype change instruction input by an operator.
 9. The image formingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an automaticoriginal feeding part which automatically reads the plurality oforiginals set therein.
 10. The image forming apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein: in addition to the image of original, a page number isprinted on the printing paper sheet.
 11. The image forming apparatus asclaimed in claim 10, wherein: the page number is not printed on a sideof the printing paper sheet on which the image of original is notformed.
 12. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a recording part which stores data of each image which isformed on the printing paper sheet.
 13. The image forming apparatus asclaimed in claim 12, wherein: the data stored by said recording part areintegrated.
 14. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein: said grouping part groups the plurality of printing papersheets by attaching a front cover or a back cover to said plurality ofprinting paper sheets.
 15. The image forming apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein: said grouping part groups the plurality of printingpaper sheets by binding them with a staple or punching them.
 16. Theimage forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said groupingpart groups the plurality of printing paper sheets in response to afinish instruction input by an operator.
 17. The image forming apparatusas claimed in claim 1, further comprising a sorting part which sorts andejects the plurality of printing paper sheets on which images of theplurality of originals are formed.
 18. The image forming apparatus asclaimed in claim 17, wherein: said sorting part sorts and ejects theplurality of printing paper sheets in use of the data of images oforiginals.
 19. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 18,wherein: said sorting part ejects the plurality of printing paper sheetswith changing an orientation or shifting a position thereof.
 20. Theimage forming apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein: said sortingpart sorts and ejects the plurality of printing paper sheets in responseto a finish instruction input by an operator.